2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD vs 2020 RAM 2500

The 2020 RAM 2500 stood out with its elegant design, contrasting sharply with the chunkier Chevrolet Silverado 2500 and the blocky Ford F-250 Super Duty. Each of the six trim levels featured a unique grille, giving the truck a distinctive look. The RAM 2500's chrome bumper and optional painted body-color version added to its upscale appearance. The LED headlights on upper trims were sleek and well-proportioned, contributing to the truck's refined look. The RAM 2500's design was more carlike than its competitors, with rounded edges and smoother body panels. The Limited trim came with 20-inch chrome wheels and LED taillights, enhancing its sophisticated appearance.

Inside, the RAM 2500 impressed with its high-quality materials and excellent fit and finish. Upper trims like the Laramie Longhorn and Limited featured soft-grained, perforated leather with elaborate stitch patterns, light wood trim with inlaid white lines, contrast piping, aluminum speaker covers, and a stunning beige-and-navy-blue color combo. The attention to detail extended to the grab handles and shifter knob. The optional 12-inch vertical touchscreen and large switches added to the truck's luxurious feel. The RAM 2500's interior was crafted to a level that rivaled luxury vehicles, making it a standout in the heavy-duty pickup segment.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was notable for its height, with the hood standing just shy of the average American woman's height of 5'4". Redesigned for the 2020 model year, the 2021 version introduced new special editions, fresh camera technology, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Chevrolet offered the Silverado 2500HD in various body styles, trim levels, colors, and bed lengths, emphasizing variety. The truck was available in Work Truck, Custom, LT, LTZ, and High Country grades, with Regular Cab, Double Cab, and Crew Cab body styles.

Special editions for 2021 included the LTZ Premium Texas Edition, Midnight Edition, Z71 Sport Edition, and Z71 Chrome Sport Edition. The Silverado 2500HD LT models could be equipped with Duramax and Appearance Packages. The truck's beds were made of high-strength steel, and buyers could choose between standard and long-bed versions. The Silverado 2500HD featured Integrated BedSteps and large CornerSteps for easier access to the bed, though getting up to the steps could be challenging for shorter individuals. The truck came with 12 standard tie-down rings, with an option to increase to 21. The EZ Lift tailgate was standard on LT models. The Silverado's exterior design was less sophisticated than its competitors, with a more rugged, Hot Wheels-ready appearance.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered two engine options: a 6.4-liter Hemi V8 with 410 horsepower and 429 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission, and a 6.7-liter Cummins inline-six diesel engine with 370 horsepower and 850 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The V8 trims had the highest payloads, up to 4,380 pounds on RWD Regular cab models, and could tow a minimum of 16,110 pounds, with a maximum towing capacity of 17,350 pounds for a RWD 2500 with the Regular cab. The diesel engine allowed the RAM 2500 to tow up to 19,780 pounds and haul up to 3,060 pounds of payload.

The diesel engine provided a unique driving experience, with a lazy acceleration but quick highway merging. The steering was loose and slow, and the ride was decent but brittle compared to the RAM 1500. The diesel's exhaust brake was highly effective, allowing the truck to slow down significantly without using the brakes. The RAM 2500 was quiet and comfortable for long drives, averaging close to 19 mpg over 515 mostly highway miles.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD offered a choice between a 6.6-liter V8 gasoline engine with 401 horsepower and 464 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and a 6.6-liter Duramax turbodiesel engine with 445 horsepower and 910 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 10-speed Allison automatic transmission. The gasoline engine had a maximum payload of 3,979 pounds with RWD and 3,965 pounds with 4WD, while the diesel engine had a maximum payload of 3,715 pounds in either drivetrain configuration.

The Silverado 2500HD came standard with a hitch, seven-pin connector, trailering mirrors, rearview camera, and hitch-guidance technology. The gasoline engine could tow up to 14,500 pounds with a conventional setup and 17,370 pounds with a fifth wheel/gooseneck connection. The diesel engine could tow up to 18,500 pounds. The diesel engine provided smoother and more vigorous acceleration, especially when towing, thanks to its high torque and smooth 10-speed automatic transmission.

The Silverado 2500HD's fuel tank capacity varied depending on the engine, cab style, and bed size. Gasoline-engined models came standard with a 36-gallon fuel tank, while Duramax diesel-powered trucks had different capacities based on the cab and bed configuration. Fuel economy figures were not provided by the automaker or the EPA for heavy-duty trucks like the Silverado 2500HD.

The 2020 RAM 2500 offered three cab options and two bed lengths. Single cabs provided the most payload and could seat three across or two with a fixed center console. They paired with an 8-foot or 6-foot-4-inch bed on the base Tradesman and Big Horn trims. All other trims came as a four-door Crew Cab with either bed. The Mega Cab allowed rear passengers to recline and hide their heads behind a thick C-pillar, offering ultimate luxury. The Power Wagon came with a Crew Cab and short bed.

The RAM 2500 featured power running boards and a retractable tailgate step for easier access. The Crew Cab offered plenty of space, and the driver could adjust the outer convex mirrors with a separate switch. The truck could be equipped with a fifth-wheel hitch, spray-in bed liner, and LED lighting. Diesel models had a countdown timer for cold starts and an analog gauge for Diesel Emissions Fluid (DEF) level.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD provided ample headroom and could comfortably seat three adults across the cab. The Crew Cab version offered the best rear seat legroom. The truck came standard with a 40/20/40 split-bench seat with a covered armrest, with higher trims featuring bucket seats and a full-on center console. Vinyl or cloth upholstery was standard, with options for 10-way power-adjustable front seats in the High Country grade.

Standard features included assist handles, manual windows, a rubberized floor, manual-tilt steering wheel, and single-zone climate control. Upper trim levels offered more luxurious features, such as carpeted floor mats and softer-touch surfaces. The Silverado 2500HD's interior was comfortable and spacious, though not as luxurious as the RAM 2500's upper trims.

The 2020 RAM 2500 came standard with a 5-inch touchscreen, with an optional 8.4-inch Uconnect upgrade. The 12-inch display was a standout feature, offering a high-resolution, user-friendly interface with large maps, dual tiles of information, and 360-degree cameras. The 12-inch screen was flanked by switches and knobs for climate and stereo controls, making it highly functional. The RAM 2500's infotainment system was one of the best in the segment, with a large display in the instrument cluster duplicating many features from the main display.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD featured a 7-inch infotainment touchscreen running the Chevrolet Infotainment 3 system, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The system worked well most of the time but had issues when scrolling through radio stations. Standard features included a 12-volt front power outlet, two-speaker audio system, 3.5-inch driver information display, Bluetooth, and Chevrolet Connected Access cable. Available features included a 120-volt power outlet, WiFi hot spot, 8-inch driver information screen, bed view camera, Bose audio system, 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, keyless entry, rear camera mirror, remote start, wireless Apple CarPlay, and wireless Android Auto.

Chevrolet excelled in camera technology, adding a bed-view camera to lower trim levels for 2021, with the ability to see a partial view in the rearview mirror.

The 2020 RAM 2500 was not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS, but the 2020 RAM 1500 scored a Top Safety Pick+ and 5 out of 5 stars overall from the NHTSA. Most driver assists were optional, including blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise, and forward emergency braking. The RAM 1500's strong performance in crash tests suggested a high level of safety for the RAM 2500.

The 2021 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD was also not rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with six airbags, a rearview camera, Teen Driver software, electronic stability control with traction control, and a tire-pressure monitoring system. The Safety Confidence Package, available on Work Truck and Custom models, included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, steering-wheel audio controls, a 4.2-inch driver information screen, and cruise control. Additional available safety features included front and rear park assist, lane-departure warning, OnStar, rear-seat reminder, high-beam assist, and following distance indicator.